Early Signs of ADHD in Children

ADHD is more than “not paying attention” or being hyper. It’s a brain difference that affects how a child focuses, manages impulses, handles emotions, and organises themselves.

It often becomes noticeable in early school years — especially when routines, listening, and sitting still become expected.

But many signs can be missed, misunderstood, or masked, especially in children who have learned to hide their struggles.

This page will help you spot the most common early signs — including the ones that aren’t always obvious.

🧠 Inattentive signs

(Often seen in quiet, sensitive children — and often missed.)

• ✅ Doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to
• ✅ Regularly forgets what they’ve just been asked to do
• ✅ Often loses or misplaces things (schoolwork, toys, jumpers)
• ✅ Easily distracted — by noises, movement, or their own thoughts
• ✅ Struggles to follow instructions with more than one or two steps
• ✅ Makes careless mistakes or leaves work half-finished
• ✅ Appears “daydreamy,” zoned out, or emotionally distant
• ✅ Seems calm, but struggles internally to stay focused

⚡ Hyperactive–Impulsive signs

(The “classic” type — more noticeable, but still often misunderstood.)

• ✅ Constantly fidgeting, wriggling, tapping, chewing
• ✅ Talks a lot, interrupts, or finishes people’s sentences
• ✅ Can’t sit still — during meals, stories, or lessons
• ✅ Struggles to wait their turn
• ✅ Acts without thinking — climbing, grabbing, shouting out
• ✅ Seems “on the go” all the time
• ✅ Finds it difficult to play quietly
• ✅ Reacts quickly and loudly, with strong energy

🔥 Emotional regulation signs

(Often dismissed as overreacting — but it’s a core part of ADHD.)

• ✅ Meltdowns over small things
• ✅ Sudden mood swings or intense emotions
• ✅ Struggles to calm down once upset
• ✅ Seems very sensitive to rejection or criticism
• ✅ May seem explosive, defiant, or “too much” — but it’s overwhelm
• ✅ Often more emotional after school or in safe environments

🕰️ Executive functioning signs

(Where organisation, time, and memory go off-track.)

• ✅ Constantly needs reminders for routines
• ✅ Forgets homework, dates, or personal items
• ✅ Avoids tasks that feel too big or boring
• ✅ Starts things, but doesn’t finish
• ✅ Has no sense of how long things take
• ✅ Rushes or freezes when under pressure

🎭 

Many children learn to mask their ADHD early

This is especially true for:

• Girls
• Sensitive or high-achieving children
• Children who fear failure or feel pressure to be “good”
• Kids raised in homes or classrooms where their behaviour is often corrected

Masking means they’re working incredibly hard to blend in — holding it together at school, quietly struggling to meet expectations, and breaking down later in private.

Signs of masking might include:

• ✅ Meltdowns or shutdowns at home after being “fine” all day
• ✅ Extreme tiredness or emotional crashes after social situations
• ✅ Fear of trying new things or making mistakes
• ✅ Always sticking to what they’re already good at
• ✅ Avoiding attention, responsibility, or anything they can’t do perfectly
• ✅ Adults say “They’re well-behaved,” but you know they’re not coping

Masking isn’t faking. It’s effort. And that effort comes at a cost — usually to a child’s mental health and self-esteem.

🫶 If this sounds familiar…

You don’t need to tick every box.

You don’t need to be certain before you speak up.

If you’re noticing patterns — inattention, intensity, emotional outbursts, fear of failure, or a total change in your child’s behaviour between school and home — it’s okay to ask questions.

You can:

• Keep a simple log of what you notice
• Speak to your child’s teacher or SENCO
• Ask about an ADHD referral (usually through school)
• Explore stories, support, and tools here on Mi-Advice — all written with lived experience and no judgment

Some signs of ADHD are loud. Some are quiet. Some are hidden behind a smile or a perfect report.

But if your child is struggling — in any way — you’re not wrong to ask why.

Understanding doesn’t start with a diagnosis.

It starts with noticing, learning, and showing up — just like you’re doing now.